ajnel's reviews
665 reviews

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

emotional funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Molly Gray, the fringe Asperger's protagonist from "The Maid" is back; this time as the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. In turn,  a prominent mystery author, with past links to Molly, is about to make a dramatic announcement but dies just prior to the same.  A true cosy mystery with a fast pace and a somewhat unpredictable unfold.  A lovely example of the often loathed genre. 

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Millie returns, (again) as a housemaid to a wealthy, attractive couple. She senses the wife of the house is in danger from her husband and tries to assist her and soon thereafter someone dies.  A fast-paced murder mystery which is hard to put down.  Unfortunately both the initial and second reveals are way too easy to predict and the first reveal becomes apparent in the first few chapters. The novel definitely lacks the originality and blindsides of the first novel but it remains a fun read. 3.5/5

End Of Story by A.J. Finn

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sebastian Trapp, a best-selling mystery author is given three months to live. His first wife and son disappeared years ago, and he has remained a suspect throughout. Sebastian invites Nicky Hunter, an aspiring biographer to his home to write his memoir. Nicky  becomes embroiled in a web of family secrets and a mysterious death at the family home.  The novel is largely a slow-burn homage to the works of Conan Doyle, but the very slow build-up does provide some extremely interesting twists and turns during the third act.  3.5/5

Zero Days by Ruth Ware

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Zero Days", is a fast-paced whodunnit, that follows Jack, a penetration (pen) expert who specializes in breaking into buildings and exposing corporate security vulnerabilities. Jack's world is shattered when her husband is murdered, and she becomes the prime suspect. Now a fugitive, Jack embarks on a desperate race to find the killer.  The novel carries the emotional aspects of the story expertly.  The breadcrumbs leading to the reveal are unfortunately too plentiful and lead to frustration towards Jack and her inability to timeously identify the killer.  The twists and turns are however fast-paced and very well-written which contributes immensely to the enjoyment of the novel.

Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The novel is set in Wales where climate change has caused winters so cold that the majority sleeps through it.  Only a few work through the winter and even less survive.  Charlie Worthing, a young newcomer to the Winter Consuls,  embarks on his first winter assignment, but soon he becomes aware of a mysterious force which disrupts the hibernation process, causing strange dreams and unexpected dangers for those awake.  Fforde, through some truly beautiful writing , creates an  original dystopian world where the adventures of his characters (sometimes rather hilariously)  effortlessly plays by out his philosophical meanderings.  A delightful, yet morose novel.

The Great Deceiver by Elly Griffiths

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Max Mephisto'sl old friend, and fellow magician, Ted English, finds himself connected to a murdered assistant. Fearful of being accused, Ted pleads for Max's help and as always, more murders occur as the mystery unfolds.  Some very interesting ideas (as always), but this novel is definitely the slowest moving one in the series.  The mystery is a bit easy to figure out, but still a great read for a slow afternoon. 

The Blood Card by Elly Griffiths

mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Novel is set in Brighton, England in 1953 on the eve of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The festive atmosphere is crushed when Edgar and Max's former wartime commander is murdered and a mysterious general asks them to assist in an investigation. Clues, such as a playbill and Blood card (Queen of Hearts), hint at hidden connections to Edgar and Max's wartime posting.  A truly atmospheric era murder mystery perfectly timed by Griffiths.  Definitely the best novel in the series so far. 

The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A World War II plane is unearthed with a body inside, but the dead man is far more recent than the plane and related to the aristocracy who owns the land where the plane is discovered.  Despite a rather involved mystery, the novel follows way too many of the "recipes" used in previous novels.  Still an engaging read. 3.5/5

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The novel revolves around a murder at a local history museum in Norfolk and a curse relating to its collection of Aboriginal bones.  An exceptional novel which balances series character development and a cracking whodunnit. 

The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A team of archaeologists found six skeletons with .455 bullet wounds buried at the foot of a cliff on the Norfolk coast line.  Soon after the discovery a number of strange deaths occur and it becomes clear that someone is trying to keep what happened to the six a secret.  Though the novel is somewhat similar to the previous novel, as it follows a clear writing formula, the basic premise of the novel is very interesting and the storytelling solid.  The breadcrumbs leading to the killer are pretty well-hidden, which makes for a fun read. 3.5/5